The southern general's words weren't wrong at all. If Ning Cheng went south to defend Three-Way Pass, he'd have enough troops and provisions to rule over the land.
Silence reigned in the large tent. If Baili Yuanlong hadn't brought it up, no one would've dared to bring it up.
After all, Ning Cheng represented the power of Western Qin's imperial clan. Ning Cheng's backer was Han Yunxi, the woman who'd just given birth to Long Fei Ye's son.
Long Fei Ye swept his icy gaze across the crowd and asked, "What about the others? What do you think? "
At first, no one dared to speak. Although a few of them didn't agree with Baili Yuanlong and the southern general's stance, they didn't think Ning Cheng would rebel at a time like this. But they couldn't find any other reason to explain Ning Cheng's decision to send out his troops now.
Long Feiye laughed coldly. "What? Do you all have the same opinion as General Baili? "
Long Fei Ye's attitude towards Ning Cheng was hard to fathom to begin with, so his laugh only made them feel even more uncertain.
After some hesitation, Baili Yuanlong said, "Your Highness, why don't we refute Ning Cheng first and see what his stance is?"
Long Fei Ye didn't speak, but tapped his fingers lightly on the table. He didn't reveal any of his thoughts.
Baili Yuanlong didn't dare to speak either. Just like that, everyone fell silent.
It had to be said that Long Feiye was very disappointed right now.
All of his civil and military officials were going to defend his country with him in the future and leave behind a glorious stroke in the annals of Cloud Realm Continent's history.
But all of them couldn't compare to a single Ning Cheng!
Long Fei Ye felt both disappointment and heartache!
He tapped the table faster and faster with increasing force. In the silent tent, everyone's hearts sped up as they grew more and more nervous.
No one knew what Long Feiye meant, but they could all tell that he was about to lose his temper.
At this time, the head of the civil officials, He Wen Qing, stepped forward and respectfully bowed. "Your Highness, this commoner's humble opinion does not agree with the military's words."
This He Wen Qing was in his early forties, but he looked like an old man in his fifties. His movements and speech were very slow, but he was a person with feelings and strategy. In the past, both Emperor Tianhui and Emperor Kang Cheng had sent people to invite him to come out of seclusion multiple times, but all their attempts ended in failure.
Long Fei Ye originally wanted to invite He Wen Qing, but he was too busy and delayed the matter until after the founding of the country. Who knew that a month ago, He Wen Qing had volunteered to join the army.
"What do you think? Let's hear it. "Long Fei Ye was still knocking on the table.
He Wenqing said seriously, "This commoner thinks that Great General Ning is sending troops to ask for food not to attack the Northern Dynasties Emperors, but to send troops to relieve the disaster! According to this commoner's understanding, the snowstorm in the northern part of Northern Li is extremely serious. Famine and pestilence are rampant, leaving many villages littered with corpses. Meanwhile, the Northern Dynasties Emperors have yet to do anything. If this drags on for another month, even if the Northern Dynasties Emperors have the heart to help, they won't have the strength to do so. "
At this, Long Fei Ye's hands finally stopped moving. Everyone exhaled in relief as they focused on He Wenqing's words.
"Military strategists, those who fight for the sake of war are considered inferior. Those who fight without war are considered superior. Great General Ning is the latter. "As soon as He Wenqing finished speaking, the crowd fell silent.
These words were a vicious slap to the faces of Baili Yuanlong and the military faction!
Those who don't care about the lives of innocents and start a war for the sake of war are considered inferior. This was referring to Baili Yuanlong and the military faction.
Those who start a war for the sake of peace are considered superior. This was referring to Ning Cheng. Ning Cheng didn't ask for food to fight a war, but to save people!
With the provisions of the Northern Dynasties Emperors, no matter what Ning Cheng did in the Northern Li battlefield, the Northern Dynasties Emperors wouldn't be able to turn defeat into victory. Ning Cheng would definitely win the hearts of the people if he sent troops to help the people now! Ning Cheng could win without fighting.
The situation in Northern Li wasn't just about the Northern Li battlefield, Ning Cheng, and Long Fei Ye.
If Ning Cheng waited until the plague was rampant before sending troops, that would be a ruthless extermination! If he sent troops to help the people now, the people of Northern Li would remember Ning Cheng's kindness and Long Fei Ye's benevolence.
One had to know that Northern Li was a people who lived on horseback and were very brave. It wouldn't be easy to subdue the people there and ensure stability in the future.
Long Fei Ye was about to proclaim himself emperor. He would rule over all of Cloud Realm, and all of its people would be his subjects.
Did Baili Yuanlong and the military faction want Long Fei Ye to leave a trail of corpses in Northern Li before he claimed the throne?
If that was the case, Long Fei Ye would lose his title of ruler before he even ascended the throne. He might even be called a tyrant.
Ning Cheng had thought of all this for him.
But Baili Yuanlong and the southern military faction who had followed him for many years had completely overlooked this point.
Long Fei Ye looked up at Baili Yuanlong and the southern military faction and said angrily, "Fighting for the sake of war isn't just subservient, it's brutal!"
As Long Fei Ye reprimanded, he casually tossed Ning Cheng's handwritten letter at Baili Yuanlong's face. "Take a look for yourself!"
Baili Yuanlong hurriedly picked up the letter, his face turning red after reading it.
Ning Cheng had only said one thing in the letter. He said that if they had to wait until after the plague, he would resign from his post as the Great General of the Northern Punitive Expedition. He would never mobilize troops in the aftermath of the disaster in this lifetime.
Baili Yuanlong immediately fell to his knees, followed by a group of people behind him.
"Your Highness, this general knows his wrongs! This general's worries were lacking in consideration. I beg Your Highness to forgive this general for the sake of this general's sincerity. "
Long Fei Ye looked at Baili Yuanlong, his deep eyes filled with disappointment. The southern military faction had always thought they had ulterior motives, but Baili Yuanlong was the one who had followed him for the longest time!
The former Baili General wasn't like this at all.
He would never treat the Baili Clan unfairly in the future. Why was Baili Yuanlong so anxious to eliminate dissidents for the sake of his family's interests? He didn't even understand the principle of "the people are the most important, and the state is the least important"?
At this time, He Wenqing added, "Your Highness, in this commoner's humble opinion, Your Highness not only needs to send Ning Cheng provisions, but also medicinal ingredients. If necessary, you can ask for Medical City's help. Once the weather warms, the plague will spread even faster. At that time, southern Northern Li will also be in danger. "
"Medical City has already made preparations." Long Fei Ye said indifferently, "Baili Yuanlong, I'll leave the matter of provisions to you. Make up for your mistakes with merits!"
This could be considered the last chance Long Fei Ye was giving the old general. If Baili Yuanlong continued to disappoint, Long Fei Ye would probably make an example out of him before he became emperor!
"Thank you for Your Highness' grace!" Baili Yuanlong repeatedly kowtowed.
Many people present wanted to show concern for Han Yunxi's child, but unfortunately, once Long Fei Ye got angry, no one dared to say anything for fear of making more mistakes.
Long Fei Ye didn't hide the situation in Northern Li from Han Yunxi and told her the truth. Han Yunxi admired Ning Cheng's attitude, but she didn't say anything.
She said seriously, "Long Fei Ye, this is an opportunity! Leave the allocation of medicinal ingredients and physicians to Gu Beiyue. In the future … "
Han Yunxi stopped here and patted her head, "No, no, Gu Beiyue is too busy. Leave it to Vice Academy Head Shen! "
Long Fei Ye and she both had the idea of taking Medical and Medicine Cities under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. The plague in Northern Li not only required large amounts of medicinal ingredients, but also many physicians.
If they could use this opportunity to have Gu Beiyue manage the allocation of medicinal ingredients and physicians, as well as provide financial support, there would be less resistance to establishing a separate Medical Department to govern the medical community in the future.
This matter concerned the power of many families in Medical City, as well as the great aristocratic families in Medicine City. If not for Gu Beiyue, it would be difficult to handle.
However, Gu Beiyue had to help Gu prepare the medicine.
Long Feiye remained silent without a word.
"Seventh Young Master should be returning to Medical City in about ten days, right?" Han Yunxi had been keeping track of the time.
Xu Donglin's letter had stated very clearly that Gu had already found the medicinal ingredients and was on his way back. That was the last ingredient. As long as it was delivered, Gu Beiyue would be able to concoct the antidote according to their plans.
As long as the medicinal ingredients were found, Han Yunxi was very confident in curing Gu.
"How about this, let Fourth Young Miss Ren go back to assist Vice Academy Head Shen. This plague won't end without a year and a half. Once Gu recovers, we'll have him and Gu Beiyue go to Northern Li together? "Han Yunxi said seriously." I'll be 'emerging' from closed door cultivation in a few days. Have Fourth Young Miss Ren go back! "
Long Fei Ye replied without hesitation, "Alright! I'll have Chu Xifeng make the arrangements later. "
Han Yunxi rejoiced.
Everyone said that confinement was boring, but she didn't feel it at first. Instead, she felt tired.
But in the last few days, she couldn't help but want to go outside and breathe in the cold air. She couldn't wait to get involved in military and government affairs.
Of course, she couldn't wait to run to Medical City and see Gu Beiyue concoct the antidote for Xiao Qi's undying body with her own eyes.
"Invite Fourth Young Miss Ren over later. I need to talk to her about setting up a medical team to go to Northern Li," Han Yunxi said seriously.
"Alright," Long Fei Ye nodded again.
Long Fei Ye walked out of the tent just as Chu Xifeng came to report. "Your Highness, Seventh Young Master and Doctor Beiyue are at the back of the mountain," Long Fei Ye gave a start before waving a hand to dismiss him.
Long Fei Ye didn't go to the back of the mountain right away. Even as a clear-headed man, he didn't understand why he didn't go or what he was afraid of.
Not long after Fourth Young Miss Ren left, two guests arrived at Rear Camp. They were none other than Ning Jing and Tang Li!
The Shadow Guards lying in ambush discovered them before they even reached the tent. They immediately came to report to Long Fei Ye.
Long Fei Ye went to greet them personally, but suddenly landed in front of the carriage, frightening the horse and driver. Fortunately, the driver pulled on the reins in time to stop the carriage.
As soon as Ning Jing lifted the curtains, Tang Li jumped out of the carriage and rushed in front of Long Fei Ye, spreading his arms to fend him off.
He didn't recognize Long Fei Ye anymore, but assumed Long Fei Ye was a bad guy blocking his way.
Ning Jing had mentioned in her letters to Han Yunxi that Tang Li had changed. He no longer ignored her, but protected and relied on her. Long Fei Ye knew this, but he still felt his heart ache at the sight of Tang Li's hostility.
Ning Jing panicked. "A 'Li, that's your big brother!"
Ning Jing was about to jump off the carriage when Tang Li immediately ran back and reached out to carry her.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
